Lyrica Side Effects: From Weight Gain to Allergic Reactions

Lyrica is a medication used for several conditions including treating partial seizures in adults, treating individuals who suffer with fibromyalgia, treating nerve pain in individuals who have Diabetes, and treating pain associated with shingles. I suffer with fibromyalgia, and while I do not take Lyrica for my pain, I personally know several other people who take this medication to treat their fibromyalgia pain.

Lyrica can cause many common side effects, including weight gain, itchy skin or rash, feeling tired or fatigued, feeling anxious, dizziness, drowsiness, balance and coordination difficulties, constipation, blurred vision, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, memory and/or concentration difficulties, and dry mouth. One of my friends who takes Lyrica for her fibromyalgia pain told me she gained 60 pounds in a matter of a couple of months. Several other friends also told me they had experienced weight gain when they started taking Lyrica. While some of my friends chose to stay on the medication for their fibromyalgia pain because it worked so well for them, others went off of it due to the amount of weight they gained while on the medication.

You may be able to combat some of the weight gain associated with taking Lyrica by eating portioned meals and eating low fat or fat-free foods. If you are able, exercising regularly may also help combat weight gain.

In order to combat constipation, you can take stool softeners or laxatives. I recommend that you speak to your doctor about what the best course of action is in dealing with your personal situation.

If you experience trouble with your memory, you can write things down, make lists, and leave yourself post-it notes in order to remind yourself of the things you need to do, important dates, and appointments.

In order to deal with itchy skin, you may want to try SARNA, an anti-itch lotion, which is now available over-the-counter. You may find SARNA in the pharmacy section of department stores, drug stores, and grocery stores.

Some individuals experience severe allergic reactions to Lyrica. If this happens, you need to go to the emergency room or contact your doctor immediately. Severe allergic reactions to Lyrica include swelling of the face, tongue, neck, lips, and/or throat, difficulty breathing, and hives.

You will also want to contact your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain or weakness accompanied by a fever and/or feel tired, start bleeding or bruising easily, experience quick weight gain, or if your feet and/or hands swell.

Pfizer also notes that individuals who are or have struggled with alcohol or drug abuse may be more likely to misuse this medication, as Lyrica makes some individuals feel "high".

Lyrica is a medication to treat nerve pain in individuals with Diabetes and fibromyalgia as well as to treat partial seizures in adults. While all medications have side-effects, there are some things you can do to cope with them.

If you think you may benefit from taking Lyrica, talk to your doctor about your symptoms, condition, and circumstances. You and your doctor can decide if Lyrica is right for your specific situation.

Sources:

Lyrica:
http://www.lyrica.com/content/main_home.jsp

Yahoo Health: Lyrica:
http://health.yahoo.com/nervous-medications/pregabalin/healthwise--d05508a1.html